Embedded Files
Welcome to Barnard Academy's Health Office Webpage
Welcome to Barnard Academy's Health Office Webpage
Barnard and Prosper Valley School Nurse: Abby Kendall
Student Sick Day Guidelines
Symptoms Requiring Absence and/or Immediate Pick Up from School
Fever (temperature higher than 100.4 F )
Respiratory symptoms (cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath)
New unexplained loss of taste or smell
A significant new rash, particularly when other symptoms are present
Have large amounts of nasal discharge in the absence of allergy diagnosis
Tested positive for COVID-19
Had a close exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case
“Close Exposure” is defined as less than six feet apart for 15 or more minutes at a time
2. Other Conditions requiring absence
The first 24 hours of various antibiotic treatments (i.e. strep throat, pink eye, etc.)
Undiagnosed, new, and/or untreated rash or skin condition note requiring an individualized plan of care to stay home
3. Immediate Pickup
Constitutes within a reasonable amount of time (approximately 45 minutes) from location
If there will be a delay, parents or caregivers must delegate an emergency contact to pick up your student from school.
WCSU parent sick day pick up flier (Figure 2)
Everyone Wears a Facial Covering Every Day (This section from 2020-21 school year. Will be updated prior to 9/1/2021.)
The Windsor Central Supervisory Union serves 1,000 students in grades Prek-12. We will be following the guidelines developed by the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education, which we expect to be revised sometime in August 2021.
These guidelines, per the Vermont Department of health, are the procedures we wish for all to comply. Please review the document to master these skills.
Fabric face masks should be washed daily either by hand or by machine
The expectation is that every individual in the building wears a mask at all times, not gaiters, covering their nose and mouth, in order to be in compliance with the Department of Health (DOH) and Agency of Education (AOE) the expectation that “all staff and students are required to wear facial coverings while in the building, as well as outside where physical distancing cannot be maintained.”
NEW: “Not all families will agree with school policies about cloth face coverings. Schools should have a plan to address challenges that may arise and refer parents, caregivers and guardians to Health Department guidance on facial coverings (VDH Strong and Healthy Start).”
“Face Mask Breaks” will be built into the daily school schedule in times where spatial distancing is easily achieved in order to allow students to take their face masks off for periods of time.
Face mask breaks will occur during lunch and times of stationary student work, and when eating and drinking. This is with the understanding that any time a student is moving around the classroom or school building, a face mask is worn.
NEW: When not in use, facial coverings should be stored in individually labeled containers or paper bags.
Facial Coverings with clear window panels around the mouth/lips will be provided for students with hearing impairments, speech-language delays as well as students in the PreK programming in order to support facial expression recognition and speech perception.
WCSU staff will model mask wearing behaviors and signage will be posted throughout all buildings to reinforce mask wearing behavior.
How to Help Your Child Adapt to Wearing a Mask (Figure 1)
Hand Hygiene
All students and staff are expected to practice effective hand hygiene at the following times; arrival to school, before and after eating, after using the restroom, after coming in contact with bodily fluid, before and after handling facial coverings, after playing outdoors, and before switching locations.
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If hands are not visibly dirty alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be used if soap and water are not readily available.
The WCSU will provide hand lotion to support healthy skin care for students and staff.
Extensive signage describing handwashing steps near sinks, and in hallways specifically located by touchless hand sanitizing stations will be visible in all school buildings
Annual Health Forms
If you have not done so, please take a minute to fill out the 2020 Annual Health Form and return either in hand, fax, or via email.
Health Insurance
Currently, if your family does not have health insurance information can be gathered at Vermont Health Connect Website Open enrollment begins 11.01.2020 and ends 12.15.2020 There is also a phone number to contact them at (855)899-9660. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or if further information is needed.
Allergy
BA staff follows the Food Allergy Action Plans set forth by individual medical caregivers and medical specialists. Due to severe life-threatening food allergies, Barnard Academy has adopted being peanut and egg free.
Any products containing peanuts or eggs (quiche, mayo, hard boiled eggs) are not permitted at Barnard Academy. We understand that this may be difficult to accomplish with children needing protein or specific items being their favorite food, but it is important for the safety of those children who suffer from these allergies to refrain from possible allergen exposure. There are alternatives to peanut butter such as sunbutter, wow butter, and others. Viable sources of protein include yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, turkey, chicken and fish. At this time, all students are eating snacks and lunch in their classrooms but I ask that you please continue to be mindful of the products brought into the building.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rachel Eggum.
Hearing and Vision Screenings:
Hearing and vision screenings are performed on students in PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade per the guidelines of the Vermont Agency of Education.
These screenings may also occur at the annual well-child check. If there are any concerns regarding your child's vision or hearing I am happy to perform a screening and pass along the information gathered. Parents also have the right to have their child opt out of screenings if requested.
Concussion Information
If your child has been diagnosed with a concussion by their provider please bring a note from the PCP laying out specific guidelines such as ‘please excuse the student from school on dates that they were absent preceding their concussion, no gym, no recess, and no electronics. The letter should also state when the child may return to school and contact activities. The school nurse is responsible for passing this information along to teachers, principal and secretary. If the incident occurs on a day that the school nurse is not here the responsibility falls onto the principal or teacher leader in the absence of the principal.
Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents
Concussion Fact Sheet for Teachers
Medication Procedures:
Whenever possible, student medication should be administered at home. However, there are times when it is either necessary or preferable medication be administered at school. Whereas the elementary, middle, and high schools may have some procedural differences due to the age and maturity of the students, the overlaying policy is the same.
It is strongly recommended that the school nurse is kept aware of all medication(s) a student is taking. This information will be kept confidential unless a school official or teacher has a legitimate educational need to know, as set forth in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
When the school nurse is not in the building specific staff members have been trained on how to properly administer both prescription and non-prescription medications here on site. I, the school nurse, am accessible by phone or email while not in the building if any questions or concerns arise..
Prescription Medication
Long-term prescription medication that is to be administered on a daily or basis through the school health office must have both a written order by a physician and written permission from a parent or guardian. Medication form. These forms are to be updated any time there is change and annually. Medications brought to the school must be in the original, properly labeled container direct from the pharmacy, delivered by the parent or guardian and handed to the nurse, the secretary, or the principal. Most pharmacies will provide two labeled containers, one for school and one for home. Only the amount needed for use in school should be brought. Controlled medications will be counted when they are brought in.
Self-Administered Prescription Medication
Students who are able to self-administer properly, typically self-carry their medication. The child’s PCP signs off on this on the medication form. The child is to demonstrate to the nurse appropriate administration procedures of the medication.
Non-Prescription Medication
The only non-prescription medication that will be administered to any student is listed on the annual health form and a parent/guardian has signed off giving approval. I do try to either email or call informing parents/guardians if administered. A physician order is not necessary to administer non-prescription medication. The Vermont Boards of Medical Practice and Nursing regarding the administration of non-prescription medication states: “While providing nursing care, the utilization of non-prescription medication is within the scope of practice of the Registered Nurse.” (26 VSA 1572E and 26 VSA 1311). In the elementary school, the school nurse or classroom teacher will obtain permission from a parent if a student may need medication at school.
Immunizations:
The Vermont department of health requires all students to be vaccinated per state guidelines. Click this link to see the immunization chart. The state of Vermont does allow exemptions due to medical or religious beliefs. Click here for the necessary documents.
If the student is on a catch-up schedule for vaccinations click this link to be filled out by the child’s PCP.
All forms listed above can be faxed to Barnard Academy at 234-9641 attention school nurse.
Helpful Links:
Page updated
Report abuse